How to Declutter Your Closet

Free up storage space, make your mornings smoother, look better in your clothes, and spend less money... all by decluttering your closet!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Friend
• 3 boxes or bins
• Closet organizer system (optional)
• Wooden hangers (optional)

1. Ask a close, objective friend to help you evaluate what you currently have in your closet.

2. Set out three boxes or bins. Mark one "Trash," one "Donate," and one "Unsure."

3. Take everything out of your closet and ask yourself three questions about each piece:
   1. Do I wear it?
   2. Do I love it?
   3. Does it flatter me?
   If you say no to any question, place the item in one of the boxes. Damaged items that cannot be easily mended go in the Trash box. Items in good condition go in the Donate box. If you are unsure whether you should keep the item, it goes in the Unsure box to revisit later.

4. The real keepers are the pieces that you wear and love and that look good on you. Set these aside. Now revisit your Unsure box. This is where your friend will be most valuable. Ask for her honest opinion on which items are outdated, ill-fitting, or unflattering, and trust her opinion. Try things on if needed, and be honest about whether these items are keepers. Chances are, you want to hold onto these things for the wrong reasons: you paid a lot of money for them, they remind you of a time when you were younger/thinner/happier, you think they will fit again someday. Wouldn't you rather donate them and free up space in your closet for pieces that really look good on you?

5. 
    
   John Louis Home Closet System from Sears.com

   When the closet is empty, assess your need for additional shelving, rod space, or other forms of closet organization. Consider outfitting the closet with a closet organizer system. Even an inexpensive DIY stock kit can greatly improve the functionality of your closet. Take it one step further with matching wooden hangers. Recycle wire hangers at your dry cleaner and donate plastic hangers. Wooden hangers preserve the shape of clothing and create a uniform appearance in the closet.

6. 
    
   Clip hanger for skirts and pants

   Hang these items from traditional hangers: dresses, coats, shirts, blouses, jackets, blazers. Skirts and pants should be hung from clip hangers or space-saving cascading hangers. Fold and shelve knits, sweaters, jeans, and t-shirts. Place shoes on shoe racks or on shallow shelves.

7. Organize hanging clothing by type: long-sleeved shirts, short-sleeved shirts, tanks/camisoles. Long pants, cropped pants, skirts. Dresses, jackets, coats. Within each category, arrange by color. This arrangement will speed morning outfit coordination.

Tips & Warnings

• Once your closet is decluttered, adopt a new rule: For every item that goes in, one must come out. Place a printed reminder inside the closet.
• Take a close look at what's left in your closet, and next time you shop, buy items with similar colors or lines. Avoid buying unflattering clothes in the first place by understanding what looks good on you.
• If space allows, consider turning a walk-in closet into a dressing room with a full-length mirror and small chair.
• Some items to keep in or near your closet for an even smoother morning routine: lint roller, small pair of scissors, safety pins, bleach pen, shoe buffing sponge.
• Get a receipt for your donations to the thrift store and claim it on your tax return.

[MyJB]

on 7/6/2009 The tips and suggestions are very useful and practical; rather than donating everything, sell never worn or very good items to earn some of your money back.

[4000kylie]

on 3/28/2009 Good article! You have many articles that I can relate to.

[georgelarson]

on 10/11/2008 Good information and well written.

[purrfect1969]

on 10/10/2008 Wow, I wish my closet looked like that. Thanks for the tips.

[Melanierose]

on 10/10/2008 I so need this advice thank you for sharing. My closets are a wreck.